Chapter 15 - David’s Fall
Then David lost his job.
Not because of Maya.
Not because of the acquisition.
A restructuring eliminated his division eighteen months later.
David arrived at Maya’s apartment carrying a cardboard box.
“I got fired.”
Maya opened the door wider.
He entered.
For two hours, he complained.
Then he became quiet.
“I understand now.”
“What?”
“What it felt like.”
Maya knew.
Everyone suddenly had advice for David.
Take something stable.
Be realistic.
Stop being proud.
His identity disappeared the moment his title did.
David looked at his sister.
“I’m sorry.”
“You already apologized.”
“Not enough.”
He laughed sadly.
“I spent years measuring you by a job title because mine made me feel safe.”
Maya handed him coffee.
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know.”
“Good.”
He stared.
“Good?”
“You finally get to decide instead of following the next obvious step.”
David eventually started a small logistics company.
The first year was brutal.
It nearly failed twice.
Robert never called it a failure.
Maya never offered money unless David asked.
He didn’t.
One evening he called her.
“We made payroll.”
Maya smiled.
“Congratulations.”
“It’s pathetic how happy I am.”
“No.”
May you like
She looked across Chicago.
“It’s exactly the right amount of happy.”
